What to Expect When a Consultant Conducts an Environmental Audit

Environmental Audits: Protecting Your Business and Keeping You Compliant

If you’ve never had an environmental consultant conduct an audit at your facility, you might be wondering—what exactly happens? Will they walk around with a clipboard and point out everything that’s wrong? Will they turn you in if they find an issue? Don’t worry, that’s not how it works!

An environmental audit conducted by a consultant isn’t about punishing your business—it’s about helping you stay compliant, reduce risks, and avoid costly fines down the road. The goal is to identify any gaps in compliance and provide practical, business-friendly solutions before a regulatory agency comes knocking.

At RMA, we work with businesses across industries to ensure they’re meeting environmental regulations without unnecessary stress. If you’re due for an audit or just want to know where you stand, reach out to us today—we’d be happy to walk you through the process and get you started.

Why Hire an Environmental Consultant for an Audit?

Hiring an environmental consultant for an audit offers several advantages:

• Objective Evaluation: A third-party consultant provides an unbiased assessment of your facility’s compliance.
• Regulatory Expertise: Consultants stay up to date on federal, state, and local environmental laws, ensuring you’re aware of all applicable requirements.
• Risk Mitigation: Identifying and correcting issues before regulators do can save you from costly fines and legal trouble.
• Customized Solutions: Consultants don’t just find problems—they help you develop practical solutions tailored to your operations.

Types of Environmental Audits Conducted by Consultants

A consultant can conduct various types of environmental audits, depending on your needs:

• Regulatory Compliance Audits: Evaluate whether your facility meets EPA, state, and local environmental regulations. This is by far the most common type!
• Due Diligence Audits: Assess environmental liabilities when purchasing or selling a property or business (similar to a Phase I ESA).
• Beyond Compliance Audits: Enhances sustainability by optimizing policies, reducing waste, and minimizing environmental impact to go beyond basic compliance.

The Environmental Audit Process

When a consultant conducts an audit, they typically follow a structured approach to ensure a thorough evaluation.

Step 1: Pre-Audit Planning

• The consultant gathers information about your facility, including permits, previous compliance history, and environmental programs.
• Key personnel are identified for interviews, including environmental managers, safety officers, and operations staff.
• A schedule is set for the site visit, document review, and follow-up discussions.

Step 2: On-Site Assessment

• The consultant conducts a facility walkthrough to inspect things like your operations, equipment, waste storage areas, stormwater controls, air emission sources, and more.
• Employees are interviewed to understand daily environmental practices, training programs, and compliance knowledge.
• Emergency preparedness, spill response & response procedures, and recordkeeping practices are reviewed.

Step 3: Documentation Review

• The consultant examines things like your stormwater permit and stormwater pollution prevention plans (SWPPP), hazardous waste manifests, air permits and associated monitoring reports, and more.
• Records of inspections, training logs, and incident reports are checked for completeness and accuracy.
• Compliance with reporting requirements, such as Tier II and TRI reporting, is verified.

Step 4: Audit Findings & Report

• The consultant compiles a detailed report outlining compliance gaps, potential violations, and areas for improvement.
• Each issue is ranked based on severity, with recommendations for corrective actions.
• The report includes best practices for improving compliance and reducing environmental risks.

Step 5: Corrective Actions & Follow-Up

• The consultant works with your team to develop an action plan for addressing deficiencies.
• Training programs, updated policies, and process improvements may be recommended.
• Some consultants provide ongoing support to ensure corrective actions are successfully implemented.

Common Issues Identified During an Audit

Environmental audits often uncover issues such as:

• Expired or missing environmental permits.
• Improper hazardous waste storage and labeling.
• Lack of documentation for waste disposal, emissions tracking, or regulatory reporting.
• Non-compliant stormwater or wastewater discharge practices.
• Insufficient employee training on environmental regulations.

For more, check out our article on the most common audit findings (and their solutions!).

How to Prepare for an Environmental Audit

• Gather all relevant environmental documents in advance.
• Ensure employees understand compliance responsibilities.
• Address known issues before the audit to minimize findings.
• Treat the audit as a learning opportunity—consultants are there to help, not penalize.

Getting ready for your first audit? Check out our complete guide on preparing for your first audit here!

Don’t Wait for a Violation—Let’s Make Sure You’re Compliant

Environmental audits aren’t just a regulatory requirement—they’re an opportunity to protect your business, avoid fines, and operate more efficiently.

Whether you need a one-time compliance check or ongoing environmental support, RMA is here to help. Schedule an audit with us today and take the first step toward a stronger environmental program.